The National Coordinated Access guide accesses a housing-first, place-based, person-centered, trauma-informed, and reconciliation-focused lens to build capacity and address the unique challenges that exist within the homelessness serving-sector in rural, remote, First Nations, Métis, and Inuit communities across Canada. The guide aims to provide a bottom-up approach to understanding Coordinated Access (CA) by amplifying the voices of those with lived experience.
We recognize that many urban and designated Reaching Home (RH) communities across Canada are currently developing and implementing formal Coordinated Access (CA) systems; however, service providers in rural, remote, and Indigenous communities do not always have the same capacity for CA systems as those in urban communities. The National Coordinated Access guide acknowledges the importance of the social determinants of health and understands that many First Nations and Northern communities have limited access to services due to unreliable infrastructure (Rural and Remote Mental Health in Canada).
Coordinated Access is based on a housing-first approach that seeks to create a system that brings together all the actors involved in various capacities to support people experiencing housing insecurity. Statistical information is compiled on both the support resources available and the people experiencing housing insecurity within a specific community. The goal is for clients to be connected with necessary and appropriate support services regardless of location, and to create an environment where they are heard without having to retell their story repeatedly. This toolkit supports rural, remote, Inuit, Métis and First Nations communities and organizations in implementing elements of coordinated access, no matter where their community is in its housing journey.
This project was funded in part by the Government of Canada’s Reaching Home: Canada’s Homelessness Strategy through the Community Capacity and Innovation Stream
The National Coordinated Access (CA) team successfully facilitated an extensive stakeholder engagement training session which included a broad range of participants including over 80 individuals with lived experience and 105 service providers, fostering a diverse and inclusive dialogue across Turtle Island. While everyone is at different stages in their CA journey, bringing people together from diverse communities and backgrounds added immense value to the training and discussions.
The project has achieved significant outcomes, including a comprehensive literature review, extensive stakeholder engagement, successful training events, and positive feedback from participants. Key highlights emphasize the importance of culturally appropriate practices, the need for ongoing support and training, and the value of collaboration and networking. Despite challenges, the project has made substantial progress in advancing Coordinated Access in rural, remote, and Indigenous communities, laying a strong foundation for future efforts in reducing and preventing homelessness.
Understanding the significance of having people with lived experience and Indigenous people being at the tables of all conversations – especially those with decision making authority. The value of community, and looking after ourselves so we can serve others. That there is a community of people who I can learn from and share with in my work to serve my community.
Training Participant
National Coordinated Access
This training was so invigorating, refreshing and very much needed. The intimate setting, I feel, made a huge difference. We left the event with a deeper understanding and a strengthened network. We were reminded to focus on the capacity that we have, not necessarily all we would love to be able to do, and take it in steps. Thank you, thank you, thank you!
Coordinated Access Training Participant
National Coordinated Access
August 26, 2024
Homelessness, National Coordinated Access
The development of the training materials and toolkit builds upon the Housing First philosophy while using a place-based approach along with a person-centred and trauma-informed care lens based on Reconciliation. The was based on a bottom-up, rather than a top-down approach to understanding Coordinated Access through the voices of those with lived experience and the […]
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